Leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke doesn’t necessarily enjoy seeing stablemates go head to head.
With a condensed program during the wet season, which is basically the off-season in the Top End, there are occasions where he has no choice.
That’s applicable on Saturday when Clarke’s Doc O’Connor, Patriotic King, Shakattak and Pharoah Magic clash in heat one of the Darwin Turf Club’s Summer Sprint Series over 1100m at BM76 level.
All four horses have the form, class and credentials to claim victory, but Clarke’s preference would be to see the stablemates line up in a separate race.
There have been occasions when Clarke has started numerous horses in the same race at this time of year.
For the first Fannie Bay feature of 2025, Clarke has elected to start his quartet in the six-horse field and predicting the outcome is now the big question.
“Splitting Gary’s runners isn’t easy as they’re all capable of winning, they’re good horses,” Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive officer Andrew O’Toole said.
“Over the years, Gary has had plenty of top sprinters such as The Captain, Captain Punch and Syncline, but those facing the starter this weekend boast plenty of quality.
“Doc O’Connor has an excellent first up record and is a former winner of the Simone Montgomerie Lightning over 1000m on Darwin Cup Day.
“Patriotic King has won three of his past five starts and once held the 1100m track record.
“Shakattak won two races during Cup Carnival in July, and returned in September to overcome Jason Manning’s impressive Bon’s Pride.
“Second behind Tubthumper on Melbourne Cup Day, Shakattak was less than half a length behind Bon’s Pride and Mr Cashman in third place over 1200m in late November.
“Pharoah Magic continues to get better and better since arriving from NSW and in eight starts he has four wins.
“The start is the key on Saturday in what should be an interesting betting race – I settled on Shakattak with no real confidence.”
Clarke’s No.1 stable rider Jarrod Todd will partner Doc O’Connor, while Patriotic King was the early $1.70 favourite with horse racing bookmakers.
“It’s no secret that Gary has a large stable,” O’Toole added.
“Subsequently, he has won the Top End and Country trainers’ premiership for the past 12 years.
“To be fair, Clarke’s nous, guile, talent and experience has contributed to his success – he has also won a plethora of feature races in the Territory.”
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